Letters to the editor for Saturday, November 17, 2012

Saturday

Nov 17, 2012 at 12:01 AM

Millions of Americans are discouraged, depressed, disheartened and confused, and expect much more from our leaders.

hard-fought elections are over and the time is now for all of Congress and the White House to find and implement solutions to our country's needs. The lack of harmony, cooperation and agreement has divided our government officials for too long, and has lowered America's standing as a leading nation of the world. Millions of Americans are discouraged, depressed, disheartened and confused, and expect much more from our leaders. When there is disharmony and discord among our elected officials who are responsible for the well-being of the country, then its people become nervously worried about their future and the direction the country is going. We now have many problems facing our nation, many of which need immediate attention. It is impossible to list our problems in the order of their importance, for every item is desperately important — from unemployment, to illegal and undocumented immigration, to infrastructure rejuvenation. Let us hope our people in Washington realize what's important and put forth a positive attitude that will give us direction and put America on the right road. Wisdom is knowing what path to take next — integrity is taking it.

EDWARD BACHMAN

Port Orange

This is about the U.S. Postal Service property at 301 Mission Drive in New Smyrna Beach. The grounds and parking lot area are in deplorable condition. It is not a good example for the city of New Smyrna Beach, nor is it a good image of our community. The grassy areas and shrubbery are in need of maintenance. The parking lot needs to be cleaned of debris, the parking spaces need to be re-striped and the safety bumpers need to be repainted in safety yellow. In general, the outside property needs a good cleaning!

WILLIAM RAINES

New Smyrna Beach

Raines is a former New Smyrna Beach city commissioner.

It might interest the people of South Daytona to know that the Long Island Power Authority is municipally owned. That is the utility receiving much of the blame for the poor response to Sandy. Also, South Daytonans should check the rates of the municipally owned power utilities.

THOMAS J. DONAGHY

Flagler Beach

Prior to the election I started to write a letter to try to point out the error in some people's judgment, regarding our massive debt and unworkable government policies. We are emulating the same policies as the European socialist countries. We have a daily account and front-row view of how socialism does not work — not to mention the actual history of the brutality and loss of freedom caused by socialism and communism. But somehow we choose not to see. I then realized that this election was not a vote on economic policies. It was an election of choice; a choice of character, judgment and a way of life in which the U.S. Constitution and the Bible lost. How sad.

LYNN MARLOWE

Ormond Beach

In regard to the recent elections and your Sunday editorial making the claim that there is "no voter mandate," I have to disagree. President Barack Obama overcame his opposition with 332 electoral votes to 206 and a lead of more than 3 million votes. That's more electoral votes than George Bush obtained in 2004, when he declared he had earned "political capital." In addition to that, the Democrats enlarged their numbers in the Democratic-controlled Senate. and increased their numbers in the Republican-led House. Before the election, all the folks self-assured of a Romney "win" were stating that a victory of the same size would be a mandate. Also, early on, it was widely believed the Republicans were going to take back the Senate, and that didn't happen. What's clear from the results of the election is that Americans rejected the agenda of the far right, which controlled the Republican primary process, giving them flawed candidates all around. I, and most other rational Americans, now expect an end to the childish game-playing of the obstructionists who were bent on destroying this president even if it meant standing in the way of America's recovery. The Republican leaders can continue to say their No. 1 goal is to defeat Obama. But if they insist on continuing their record of doing nothing to aid America's recovery while protecting the very wealthy, they will lose even more power in the next election. You say there's no mandate, but there is a clear mandate: Work with this president to accomplish his goals for a stronger American middle class, not against him to sabotage his goals for America's future. There's work to do, and we expect all our elected leaders to get to work.

MIKE PRATER

Ormond Beach

Once again, the joy of life was expressed through the grace and hospitality of the Daytona Greek Orthodox Church. The flair of ethnic food and traditional dance remind us that despite the difference of nationality and belief, we are one people sharing the universal love of life. With open hearts, the festival's organizers succeeded in portraying borderless fellowship, giving the community the opportunity to experience the Greek doctrine through the joy of food, dance and compassion. It was a delight to all who attended.

LYNN SWASEY

Ormond Beach

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